What is the best environment for an animal?

Each animal is different, just like each child is different. Some children can go to any school and do well, others must try out several schools before finding their ideal learning situation. There is no right answer, only the search for the best answer.

Some horses love to race. Others, while appearing to enjoy racing, are sick frequently. Some dogs, even when very healthy, are basically couch potatoes and like a moderate walk or a short spell of ball chasing. To require this dog to go on 20 mile hikes every week-end may cause physical problems, even if mentally the dog goes to please you.

A cat who really wants to be an outside cat may need you to play for longer times and more actively than one who is content with the indoor, more sedentary life. Maybe you will need to build a screened in porch in your 12th floor condominium to have a healthy cat. Even when we do not have the perfect environment for our animals, we can try to do our best by stopping and thinking about what they need.

The path to health for your animals can be fun and challenging. Your animals will love your experimentation with all the different forms of healing. You will learn how to be more healthy yourself. You will eat better because you are feeding your animal better. You will meet some other wonderful people committed to their animal's health. Have fun.

Christina Chambreau, DVM, is an internationally known homeopathic veterinarian. She graduated from the University of Georgia Veterinary College in 1980, began using homeopathy in her veterinary practice in 1983, and has used primarily homeopathy since 1988. A dynamic teacher, Dr. Chambreau is a founder of the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy and is on the faculty of the National Center for Homeopathy Summer School. She also teaches her own 1 and 2 day courses, and lectures at conventions, schools, clubs and to anyone who is concerned about improving the health of animals. She has written and is quoted in many magazines and appears on many radio shows. She is married to Dr. Mort Orman, author of the 14-Day Stress Cure and How to Have a Stress Free Wedding. They have a 14-year-old daughter Tracie and live near Baltimore, Maryland.